Best Available Recording
Recorded countless times - almost literally countless when one considers the number of compilations that include only the first movement of this sonata - it is, quite naturally, difficult to name one best available recording. Nevertheless, we're hardy souls, and have made our choice: Emil Grigoryevich Gilels' 1990 recording on Deutsche Grammaphon, which also includes Piano Sonata No.12 In E-Flat Major, op.27 no.1 ("Quasi una fantasia") and Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor ("Pathétique") op. 13.
The simple fact is that Beethoven's piano sonatas are beautiful, but are
not easy to play well, even when (as in this case) portions of the music
sound uncomplicated. Technical requirements are often more difficult than
in, say, Chopin's music. Proper timing is a huge issue in all of
Beethoven's works; ask anyone who has ever conducted the Ninth Symphony, or
anyone who has attempted to create a definitive performance of the Moonlight
Sonata. Gilels excels here in both technical and timing issues, turning in a
performance that avoids common pitfalls and captures the beauty of Beethoven's
music splendidly.
Beethoven - Piano Sonatas:
Moonlight / Pathétique / The Tempest / Appassionata
Maria-João Pires
Apex 8573 89225 2
1-3. Sonata quasi una Fantasia No. 14 in C sharp
minor, op. 27 no. 2 "Moonlight"
4-6. Sonata No. 8 in C minor, op. 13 "Pathétique"
7-9. Sonata No. 17 in D minor, op. 31 no. 2 "The Tempest"
10-11. Sonata No. 23 in F minor, op. 57 "Appassionata"
Total running time: 75:02
Of related interest:
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